Performing Arts Guest Curator Program Overview

Place des Arts’ mission is to inspire the artist in everyone through our quality programs and cultural experiences, our talented people, and our warm, welcoming environment.

The intent of the Guest Curator program is to broaden the range of artistic voices and experiences represented in our program offerings. The program’s aim is to accomplish one or more of the following:

• Offer unique or underrepresented perspectives, whether cultural, social, or artistic.
• Highlight diverse artistic practices or traditions not often seen on mainstream stages.
• Educate and engage the community.

The selected Guest Curator will:

• Present a distinctive 90-minute event including a performance at Place des Arts on Saturday November 7, 2026. The Guest Curator may also be a performer.
• Bring their unique artistic vision to engage and inspire the community.
• Collaborate with Place des Arts’ staff to ensure artistic and logistical success.

About the Space:
The performance is a multipurpose community space. While it is not equipped as a formal performance venue, a theatre-like atmosphere is created using pipe and drape, lighting, and seating arrangements. The room is equipped with a concert grand piano, a simple lighting grid, and sound equipment. Surface area: 1075 sq ft / 100m². Capacity: 100 (concert style), 80 (seated around tables), 60 (with staging platforms as risers). Please note that the walls in the room serve as exhibition space for artwork, which cannot be adjusted or removed for the performance.

Eligibility

• Open to individual artists or collectives ages 19 and older based in the Lower Mainland. Preference is given to applicants based in the Tri Cities.
• Applicants may be emerging or established performing artists.
• Projects must be performance-based (including theatre, dance, music, spoken word, interdisciplinary performance, etc.).
• Projects may be newly created works or presentations of traditional or existing repertoire. In all cases, the proposal must show an original perspective, interpretation, or method of presentation feasible within Place des Arts' resources and space.

Compensation for Curation
The Guest Curator will receive a fee of $1,500, paid in two installments: 50% upon signing the Guest Curator Agreement and 50% following completion of the performance. This fee is intended to cover:

• The concept development and artistic direction of the performance.
• Creative planning and coordination of performers, collaborators, or other artistic contributors.
• Rehearsal time and preparation leading up to the performance.
• Participation in meetings with Place des Arts staff.
• Community or audience engagement related to the performance (e.g., talkbacks, Q&A,).
• Delivery of the final performance.

Compensation for Performers
Performers will receive eighty-five percent (85%) of NET ticket sales (NET = gross ticket sales less GST, seat levy and minus a production fee of $150.00) plus GST if applicable within 30 days of the performance.

Tickets for PdA performances are sold for students/seniors at $21.00 per ticket plus GST and adults at $26.00 per ticket plus GST (each includes a $1.00 seat levy).

Agreement and Responsibilities
A formal Guest Curator Agreement will be signed outlining terms, deliverables, and timelines.

Guest Curator Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver the artistic performance as proposed.
• Meet all production and rehearsal deadlines.
• Participate in planning meetings with staff.
• Provide content and information needed for marketing (bios, images, event description, etc.) by agreed deadlines.
• Actively participate in promotional activities (e.g., interviews, social media posts, community engagement).
• Ensure all collaborators are credited and appropriately compensated as per the agreement.

Place des Arts will:

• Provide access to the venue and technical equipment as agreed.
• Produce and distribute all marketing and promotional materials.
• Manage ticket sales and front of house.
• Provide staff support during planning and performance.
• Pay appropriate SOCAN/Entandem fees.

Selection Process

1. Call for Proposals period: January 5 to February 8, 2026.

2. Applications reviewed by a committee of staff between February 9-27, 2026.

3. Selection Criteria:

• Artistic merit and originality.
• Alignment with Place des Arts’ mission and values.
• Feasibility within time and budget.
• Potential for community engagement or audience development.

4. Notification: Selected Guest Curator notified by March 2, 2026.

Evaluation and Reporting

After the event, the Guest Curator will submit a short, written reflection including:

• Artistic outcomes and audience response.
• Lessons learned or recommendations for future initiatives.

Place des Arts will also gather feedback from the audience and complete an internal evaluation covering attendance, community impact, and financial results.

Applicants will keep full ownership of their proposals. The organization will only use submitted ideas for application review and will not share them outside the review team or use them for its own projects. Proposals from applicants who are not selected will not be retained and will be deleted after the review process. Please note that the organization may receive or already be working on similar ideas, so submitting a proposal does not guarantee exclusivity or selection.

To apply, please visit the Application Form at: placedesarts.ca/performing-arts-guest-curator-application-form/ . Alternative methods of applying may be considered. Please email  or call 604.664.1636 ext. 38 and we will do our best to accommodate.